Daily GK Updates - 18th July, 2018

NATIONAL UPDATES:

1. Karnataka to set up five tech innovation hubs : Karnataka’s first ‘K-Tech Innovation Hub’  was inaugurated in Belagavi by K J George, Karnataka Minister for IT/BT & ST.The K-Tech Innovation Hub backed by providing space and infrastructure, prototyping facilities and a world-class innovation network.The K-Tech Innovation hub leverages the globally connected ecosystem & brings infrastructure similar to the MIT Fab Lab to Belagavi.

2. Govt to deliver 11 Crore Ayushman Cards : The government will be printing and delivering 11 crore Ayushman Bharat ‘family cards’ by organizing public contact programme called ‘Ayushman Pakhwaras’.The CEO of Ayushman Bharat- National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM) is Indu Bhushan.The scheme was announced by Union Minister Arun Jaitley in his budget 2018 and is expected to be the world’s largest health coverage scheme.

3. FASTags compulsory to obtain national permit : Vehicle tracking systems and FASTags for electronic toll collection will be made mandatory for all commercial vehicles obtaining the national permit.The proposed amendment also provides that driving license and pollution control certificates can be carried in physical or digital form.It also provides that no fitness certification at the time of registration for new transport vehicles.

4. Bihar raises compensation for rape victims : The Bihar government increased the compensation amount for acid-attack and rape survivors from Rs 3 lakh to 7 lakh.

Human traffic victims would receive a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each instead of the Rs 1 lakh paid currently.The acid attack victims would be given a monthly compensation of Rs 10000 instead of lump sum.Survivors who are under the age of 14 would get 50% more compensation.

4. 67th National Garment Fair 2018 in Mumbai : The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) organized “India’s Largest Apparel Trade Show – The 67th National Garment Fair” from 16th July to 19th July 2018 at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai.A Memorandum of Understanding between Govt of Gujarat & CMAI was signed to promote Gujarat as a destination for investments.The Fair was inaugurated by Kishore Biyani, CEO of Future Group.

5. SC demands new law to stop lynching : India’s highest court has asked the government to enact a new law to deal with an increase in mob violence and lynchings.Supreme Court recommended Parliament to create a new penal provision to punish the offenders and stem the mob-related violence.The direction was given by three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra and ordered parliament to decide within six months.

6. J&K abolishes interviews for Class-IV jobs : The Jammu and Kashmir government today abolished interviews for all Class-IV posts in the state and the selection.All recruitment for Class-IV posts under State, Divisional and District Cadres also for companies, organizations & bodies substantially owned by Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB).The decision will speed-up the selection process against these posts.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

1. First Pondicherry International Film Festival : The festival organized by Pickurflick and Puducherry Tourism Department, which will begin on September 26, will be hosted at Puducherry.The inaugural edition of the festival will focus on the cinema, art, and culture of France, which is the partner country for the five-day long event.

The mega festival will also promote Puducherry as a tourist destination.

2. Nelson Mandela International Day 2018 : Nelson Mandela International Day is an annual international day in honor of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s 1st black president which is celebrated each year on 18 July.The day was 1st celebrated as UN Mandela Day on 18 July 2010 and 2018 marks the 100th birth anniversary.Mandela is remembered for his anti-apartheid activities and fight against poverty and promoting justice for all.

OTHER UPDATES:

BUSINESS/ECONOMY:

1. Steel Ministry announces pension scheme : The steel ministry has agreed to introduce a pension scheme for its CPSEs (Central Public Sector Enterprises) like SAIL and RINL.The pension scheme is estimated to cost an additional financial burden of Rs 540 crore.The pension scheme will be subject to factors like affordability, capacity to pay and sustainability by the CPSEs.The current Steel Minister is Chaudhary Birender Singh.

2. Goldman Sachs names David Solomon as CEO : Goldman Sachs Group Inc named David Solomon as its next chief executive officer.Solomon to succeed CEO Lloyd Blankfein, who was the CEO since June 2006 and will be retiring on 1st October.The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is an American multinational investment bank and financial services company headquartered in New York City.Solomon previously worked for Irving Trust and Drexel Burnham.

BANKING/FINANCE:

1. Chaturvedi: ICICI’s non-exec chairman : RBI has approved the appointment of Girish Chandra Chaturvedi as non-executive (part-time) Chairman of the ICICI bank till June 30, 2021.Girish Chandra Chaturvedi was previously the petroleum secretary.

ICICI Bank announced that Kochhar has decided to go on leave till the completion of an external inquiry into the matter of lending loan to Videocon group.

SPORTS:

1. Neeraj Chopra wins Gold at Sotteville Athletics Meet : Neeraj Chopra, India’s javelin star, struck Gold in the Meeting International de Sotteville-les-Rouen in France.Chopra’s throw of 85.17m was enough to clinch the top spot on the podium.The winning distance from Chopra was, however, less than the 86.47m he achieved for gold at Gold Coast CWG.Neeraj is a part of India’s squad for the Asian Games 2018.